Strategic Procurement Agent

JOB SUMMARY

RISD’s Procurement Services department seeks a talented, enthusiastic, experienced, and customer-service-oriented individual to serve as a Senior Strategic Procurement Agent. Reporting to the Director of Procurement Services, the successful candidate will support RISD’s sourcing and procurement activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES

• Performs product and service research by developing and maintaining an effective vendor base to procure services and products.
• Recommends the most appropriate and efficient method for formation of strategic sourcing initiatives/agreements for the College from the analysis of institutional spend, end-user activity, and Workday procurement/financial data.
• Responsible for all aspects of the RFP and RFI business cycle, and works with RISD purchasers to identify alternatives that meet the client’s needs and provide the best value.
• Negotiates strategic sourcing agreements and any changes in vendor contracts in accordance with RISD, state, and federal rules and regulations.
• Negotiates with vendors/contractors to obtain maximum benefit to the College from contracts.
• Develops and maintains current knowledge of changing commodity-related business trends in the marketplace and the possible impact to the College.
• Writes, recommends, implements, and educates the RISD community on purchasing policies and procedures.
• Identifies, develops, evaluates and implements systems, tools and models to create efficiencies, ensure administrative ease, and support strategic sourcing planning.
• Develops and implements Small Business development initiatives to better enable their inclusion and participation in strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Creates content for Procurement info.risd.edu web site.
• Serves as a procurement consultant to internal constituents.
• Contributes to unit goals by accomplishing related duties as required.
• Overview the Workday workflow for the requisition to purchase order process.
• Oversee Punchout suppliers in Workday.
• Perform other related duties as requested.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience required.
• Seven or more years of related experience, with at least four years of contract negotiation experience, is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to identify, build, manage, and maintain vendor relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement processes and procedures, which drive operational efficiencies.
• Demonstrated contract management and contract compliance skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with particular ability to prioritize work in an environment with multiple and conflicting interests.
• Prominent project and/or program management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience with the Workday financial system is highly desirable.
• Flexibility and a customer service mindset are extremely important.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion.
• Competency using a variety of computer software required.
• Commitment to supporting an inclusive work environment and the ability to work respectfully and effectively across differences in background, role, and perspective.